Public Opinion of Forestry 2013, Wales

**Release date:** 25 July 2013\
**Coverage:** Wales\
**Geographical breakdown:** None

**Issued by:** Economics & Statistics, Forestry Commission,\
231 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, EH12 7AT\
**Enquiries:** Jackie Watson 0131 314 6171\
statistics@forestry.gsi.gov.uk\
**Statistician:** Sheila Ward 0131 314 6475\
**Website:** www.forestry.gov.uk/statistics Contents

Introduction 3 Key findings 4 Benefits and disadvantages of woodlands 5 Benefits and disadvantages of street trees 7 Woodland recreation 9 Community engagement 17 Wood products 20 Tree health 22 Annex 24 Introduction

The Forestry Commission has conducted biennial surveys of public attitudes to forestry and forestry-related issues since 1995. These surveys are used to inform and monitor policy development.

This publication presents results for Wales from the Welsh Public Opinion of Forestry Survey 2013 on:

- Benefits and disadvantages of woodlands;
- Benefits and disadvantages of street trees;
- Woodland recreation;
- Community engagement;
- Wood products; and
- Tree health.

A copy of the questionnaire used in this survey, giving complete wording of questions and response options, is provided in the Annex at the end of this report.

Surveys have also been run across the UK (to provide results for the UK and for England) and in Scotland. Separate reports, providing results from these surveys, are available for the UK and England and for Scotland.

Results from the 2013 survey are published for the first time in this release. Figures for earlier years have not been revised from those previously released. For further details, see the Revisions section of the Annex.

As the data are obtained from a sample survey, there is a range of uncertainty (confidence interval) associated with any results produced. Any differences highlighted in the text are statistically significant at the 95 per cent confidence level unless otherwise stated. For further details, see the Data Sources and Methodology and the Quality sections of the Annex.

Please note that the 2013 survey was carried out before the transfer of the Forestry Commission’s functions in Wales to a new organisation, Natural Resources Wales, on 1 April 2013. Key findings

In Wales:

- **94%** of respondents believed the woodlands near them provide at least one benefit for the local community. Around **two fifths** (39%) believed that there was at least one woodland-related issue that disadvantaged the local community.

- **88%** of respondents believed street trees provide at least one benefit for the local urban area. Over **one half** (56%) believed that there was at least one disadvantage. The most commonly identified benefit of street trees was that they make the local urban area look more attractive (62%).

- Almost **two thirds** of respondents have visited forests or woodlands in the last few years. Of these, **four in five** would visit again and would recommend the woodland/forest to a friend or relative.

- Around **three in five** respondents said there was a woodland or forest they could get to easily without using a car or other transport.

- **6%** of respondents had been consulted about plans for creating, managing or using woodlands in their area and **28%** would like to be consulted in future.

- Around **one fifth** of respondents reported that they or a family member had attended an organised learning activity or event associated with woodlands in the last 12 months.

- **4%** of respondents were involved in volunteer work or community-based woodland groups in the past 12 months.

- Around **one half** of respondents recognised the FSC logo on wood products.

On **tree health** (new in 2013):

- **81%** agree or strongly agree that ‘action should be taken by authorities and woodland managers to protect trees from damaging pests and diseases’.

- Nearly **two thirds** agree or strongly agree that ‘everyone should take action when visiting woodlands to help prevent the spread of damaging tree pests and diseases’ and ‘would be willing to look out for and report sightings of pests and diseases on trees, if appropriate information and advice was available to [them]’.

- Around than **one fifth** agree or strongly agree that ‘there is very little that anyone can do to prevent the spread of damaging tree pests and diseases’. Benefits and disadvantages of woodlands

The survey asked respondents a number of questions about the benefits and disadvantages of nearby woodlands for the local community.

Benefits of woodlands

As in previous years, respondents to the 2013 survey were asked whether they believed the woodlands near them provide benefits for the local community. The vast majority (94%) of respondents to the 2013 survey believed the woodlands near them provide at least one benefit for the local community (Table 1).

As in 2011, the most commonly selected benefits were ‘they provide places for wildlife to live’ (62%), ‘they provide places for recreation (such as walking, cycling, horse-riding)’ (58%) and ‘they improve the landscape’ (55%).

Table 1: Whether respondent believes the woodlands near them provide benefits for the local community

| Benefit | Percent of respondents | |------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------| | They provide places for wildlife to live | 64 81 67 62 | | They provide places for recreation (such as walking, cycling, horse-riding) | 52 72 63 58 | | They improve the landscape | 54 71 57 55 | | They provide places for relaxation and stress relief | 42 61 50 46 | | They help attract visitors to the area | 44 54 40 40 | | They can be used by local schools and other educational groups | 46 56 43 39 | | They are accessible to all in the community | 35 54 39 38 | | They remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, slowing climate change | .. 51 37 36 | | They create pleasant settings for developments around the community | 27 42 32 31 | | They help reduce air and noise pollution | 32 45 31 29 | | They are just a benefit of knowing they are there | 24 41 27 26 | | They provide wood as a renewable fuel | 18 32 23 21 | | They support the local economy | 20 26 19 19 | | They give people in the community the opportunity to work together | 20 26 17 18 | | Other | .. 1 1 2 | | At least one benefit identified | 88 98 96 94 |

Source: Wales Public Opinion of Forestry Surveys.

Note:

1. Figures are based on all respondents: 2005 (1,001), 2009 (1,002), 2011 (1,002), 2013 (1,012).
2. Respondents could select more than one benefit.
3. There have been some changes to the wording of the question and the response options over time.
4. .. denotes data not available (option not included in that year’s survey). Disadvantages of woodlands

Respondents were asked to select from a list, which woodland-related issues they believed disadvantaged the local community. Around two fifths of respondents to the 2013 survey (39%) believed that there was at least one woodland-related issue that disadvantaged the local community (Table 2).

As in 2011, the most commonly identified disadvantages were that ‘woodlands near us provide a place for criminal activity’ (12%), ‘we can’t control what happens in our local woodlands’ (8%) and ‘woodlands don’t provide local jobs - contractors from elsewhere are used’ (7%).

Table 2: Whether respondent believes the woodlands near them disadvantage the local community

| Disadvantage | Percent of respondents | |------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------| | Woodlands near us provide a place for criminal activity | 17 15 12 | | We can’t control what happens in our local woodlands | 11 11 8 | | Woodlands don't provide local jobs - contractors from elsewhere are used | 8 9 7 | | It's really difficult to get firewood from our local woodlands | 4 5 5 | | Timber lorries make me feel unsafe walking/driving on the roads | 9 7 3 | | Timber lorries/visitors to woodlands make the roads busy | 8 7 3 | | The woodlands near us aren't nice places to visit | 3 4 2 | | The woodlands near us can't be accessed | 4 5 1 | | Woodland operations and visitors create noise pollution | 3 2 1 | | The woodlands near us aren't good for wildlife | 3 2 1 | | The woodlands get in the way of development around the community | 2 2 1 | | Woodland operations create carbon dioxide making climate change worse | 2 1 1 | | Managing woodlands pollutes the air/water/soil | 2 1 1 | | The woodlands make our landscape worse | 3 1 0 | | Other | 1 1 3 | | At least one reason | 43 42 39 |

Source: Wales Public Opinion of Forestry Surveys.

Note:

1. Figures are based on all respondents: 2009 (1,002), 2011 (1,002), 2013 (1,012).
2. Respondents could select more than one disadvantage. Benefits and disadvantages of street trees

New questions relating to street trees were introduced for the 2013 survey.

Benefits of street trees

Respondents were first asked whether they believed street trees provide benefits for the local urban area.

Around nine in ten respondents (88%) believed street trees provide at least one benefit for the local urban area (Table 3). The most commonly selected benefits were ‘they make the area look more attractive’ (62%) and ‘they provide places for birds and wildlife to live’ (43%).

Table 3: Whether respondent believes street trees provide benefits for the local urban area

| Benefit | Percent of respondents | |------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------| | They make the area look more attractive | 62 | | They provide places for birds and wildlife to live | 43 | | They remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, slowing climate change | 28 | | They help people to feel more relaxed and calm | 25 | | Their shade helps to cool the area during summer | 24 | | They help reduce air and noise pollution | 23 | | They enhance the appeal and performance of shopping areas | 22 | | They help to soak up water in rainy weather | 21 | | They create pleasant places to meet and mix with people | 20 | | They offer a connection with the seasons and nature and act as natural classrooms | 20 | | They are just a benefit knowing they are there | 19 | | They provide health benefits | 19 | | They increase property values and inward investment into the community | 13 | | They produce useful by-products | 7 | | They help to improve road safety | 6 | | Other | 0 | | At least one reason | 88 |

Source: Wales Public Opinion of Forestry Survey 2013.

Note:

1. Figures are based on all respondents (1,012).
2. Respondents could select more than one benefit. Disadvantages of street trees

Respondents were also asked to select from a list which disadvantages street trees cause to the local urban area. Over one half of respondents (56%) selected at least one disadvantage from the list (Table 4).

The most commonly selected disadvantages were ‘falling leaves and branches make a mess and are a health and safety hazard’ (27%) and ‘street trees damage buildings and cause subsidence’ (17%).

Table 4: Whether respondent believes street trees disadvantage the local urban area

| Percent of respondents | 2013 | |------------------------|------| | Falling leaves and branches make a mess and are a health and safety hazard | 27 | | Street trees damage buildings and cause subsidence | 17 | | Street trees reduce light to nearby houses and buildings | 13 | | Trees hide views | 10 | | We can’t control what happens to the street trees | 7 | | Trees cause interference to TV reception and effectiveness of solar panels | 7 | | Carrying out work to the trees causes disruption and mess | 6 | | Street trees in urban areas near us provide opportunities for criminal activity | 4 | | Trees harbour pests | 4 | | The trees get in the way of developments in or around the urban area | 1 | | The trees in the urban areas near us aren’t good for wildlife | 1 | | The trees make the urban landscape worse | 1 | | Other | 2 | | At least one reason | 56 |

Source: Wales Public Opinion of Forestry Survey 2013.

Note:

1. Figures are based on all respondents (1,012).
2. Respondents could select more than one disadvantage. Woodland recreation

The 2013 survey asked respondents a number of questions about visits to woodland. This included whether the respondent had visited woodland in the last few years, reasons for not visiting (if not), type of woodland visited, satisfaction, management of the woodland visited, frequency of visits, reasons for choosing to visit and access to woodland.

Proportion visiting woodland

Almost two thirds (64%) of respondents to the 2013 survey said that they had visited forests or woodlands for walks, picnics or other recreation in the last few years (Table 5). This is significantly lower than the figure for 2007, but similar to the figures for other years.

Table 5: Visited woodland in the past few years

| Year | % | |------|----| | 2003 | 62 | | 2005 | 69 | | 2007 | 79 | | 2011 | 68 | | 2013 | 64 |

Source: Wales Public Opinion of Forestry Surveys.

Note:

1. Figures are based on all respondents: 2003 (1,000), 2005 (1,001), 2007 (953), 2009 (1,002), 2011 (1,002), 2013 (1,012). Reasons for not visiting woodlands

Respondents who had not visited woodland in the last few years were asked to state their main reasons for not visiting woodland.

The most commonly stated reasons for not visiting were that the respondent was not interested in visiting (40%), had personal mobility reasons other than not having a car (21%), or was too busy/did not have enough time (17%) (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Main reasons for not visiting woodlands in the last few years

| Reason | Percent of Respondents | |---------------------------------------|------------------------| | Not interested in visiting | 40% | | Other personal mobility reasons | 21% | | I’m too busy/not enough time | 17% | | Don't have a car | 14% | | Woods are too far away | 13% | | All other reasons | 17% |

Source: Wales Public Opinion of Forestry Survey 2013.

Note:

1. Figures are based on respondents who had not visited woodlands: 2013 (361).
2. Respondents could select more than one reason. Type of woodland visited

Respondents to the 2013 survey who had visited woodland or forests in the last few years were more likely to visit woodlands in the countryside (80%) than woodlands in and around towns (51%) (Figure 2). Around one third (31%) of respondents reported visiting woodlands and forests in both locations.

Figure 2: Type of woodland visited

Source: Wales Public Opinion of Forestry Surveys.

Note:

1. Figures are based on respondents who had visited woodlands: 2007 (751), 2011 (678), 2013 (651).
2. Responses for those who said they had been to ‘both’ types of woodlands have been included in totals for woodlands ‘in and around towns’ and ‘in the countryside’. Satisfaction with woodland visited

Respondents who had visited woodland or forests in the last few years were asked for their views on the woodland or forest that they had visited most often. Around four fifths (81%) of respondents in 2013 agreed (selected ‘strongly agree’ or ‘agree’) that they would visit again and the same proportion (81%) agreed that they would recommend the woodland/forest to a friend or relative (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Level of satisfaction with most frequently visited woodland

| Percent of Respondents | |------------------------| | 0% | 20% | 40% | 60% | 80% | 100% | | I would visit again | | Strongly agree | 65 | 16 | 16 | | Agree | 63 | 19 | 3 | | Neither agree nor disagree | 16 | 3 | 14 | | Disagree | | | | | Strongly disagree | | | | | Don't know | | | |

Source: Wales Public Opinion of Forestry Survey 2013.

Note:

1. Figures are based on respondents who had visited woodlands: 2013 (651). Management of woodlands visited

Respondents to the 2013 survey who had visited woodlands were asked to state who managed the woodland that they had visited most often.

Around one quarter (26%) of respondents who had visited woodland or forests in the last few years reported that the woodland they visited most often was managed by the Forestry Commission and around three in ten (29%) stated that they did not know who managed the woodland (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Management of most frequently visited woodland

Source: Wales Public Opinion of Forestry Surveys.

Note:

1. Figures are based on respondents who had visited woodlands: 2011 (678), 2013 (651).
2. The 2013 survey was carried out before the transfer of the Forestry Commission’s functions in Wales to a new organisation, Natural Resources Wales, on 1 April 2013. Frequency of woodland visits

Of those respondents who had visited woodland or forests in the last few years, nearly three quarters (73%) said that they visited at least once a month in summer 2012 (between April and September 2012) and 46% said that they visited at least once a month in winter 2012/13 (between October 2012 and March 2013) (Figure 5).

Few respondents who had visited woodland in the last few years said that they had not visited in the previous summer (4%). Around one fifth had not visited in the winter.

Figure 5: Frequency of woodland visits

Source: Wales Public Opinion of Forestry Survey 2013.

Note:

1. Figures are based on respondents who had visited woodlands (651). Reasons for choosing to visit woodlands

All respondents were asked what they thought was important to them in choosing to visit a woodland.

In 2013, the most important factors were ‘attractive scenery’ and ‘peace and quiet’, each selected by around one half of respondents (51% and 49% respectively) (Table 6). These factors were also the most popular in 2009 and 2011.

Table 6: Reasons for choosing to visit woodlands

| Reason | Percent of respondents | |---------------------------------------------|------------------------| | Attractive scenery | 65 51 51 | | Peace and quiet | 65 51 49 | | Wildlife | 60 46 47 | | It is in close/easy reach | 53 43 46 | | No entrance charge | 48 37 42 | | Safe environment | 48 37 40 | | Good for exercise | 55 42 38 | | Clear and accessible tracks and paths | 47 36 37 | | Knowing that visitors are welcome there | 48 32 35 | | A good place to unwind/de-stress | 48 39 33 | | Dogs are welcome | 38 36 32 | | Clear signage | 29 23 24 | | Knowing you can access gates/sites | 33 24 22 | | A variety of activities | 21 13 15 | | None of the above | 4 8 8 |

Source: Wales Public Opinion of Forestry Surveys.

Note:

1. Figures are based on all respondents: 2009 (1,002), 2011 (1,002), 2013 (1,012).
2. Respondents could select more than one reason. Access to woodland

Around three fifths (59%) of respondents to the 2013 survey said there was a woodland or forest they could get to easily without using a car or other transport (Table 7).

Table 7: Access to woodland without the use of a car or other transport

| Year | % | |------|----| | 2005 | 59 | | 2009 | 63 | | 2011 | 60 | | 2013 | 59 |

Source: Wales Public Opinion of Forestry Surveys.

Note:

1. Figures are based on all respondents: 2005 (1,001), 2009 (1,002), 2011 (1,002), 2013 (1,012).

Respondents who reported that they had access to woodlands without the use of a car or other transport were then asked to rate how safe and welcoming that woodland is. More than four in five (83%) gave a rating of good or better, while just 3% said that they did not feel safe or welcome (a rating of poor or very poor).

Figure 6: How safe and welcoming is accessible woodland?

Source: Wales Public Opinion of Forestry Survey 2013.

Note:

1. Figures are based on respondents who had access to woodlands without the use of transport (593). Community Engagement

Respondents were asked a set of questions relating to how they engage with woodland and forest issues through public consultation, learning activities and volunteer groups.

Public consultation

In the 2013 survey, 6% of respondents reported having been consulted about plans for creating, managing or using woodlands in their area (Table 8). When asked if they would like to be consulted in the future, around three in ten respondents (28%) said yes.

Table 8: Public consultation about plans for woodlands

| | 2005 | 2007 | 2009 | 2011 | 2013 | |--------------------------------|------|------|------|------|------| | Have you ever been consulted | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 6 | | Would you like to be consulted in future | 19 | 43 | 32 | 27 | 28 |

Source: Wales Public Opinion of Forestry Surveys.

Note:

1. Figures are based on all respondents: 2005 (1,001), 2007 (953), 2009 (1,002), 2011 (1,002), 2013 (1,012).

Of those who said they had been consulted in the past, around one half felt they had influenced decisions about creating, managing or using woodlands in their area. Of those who said that they would like to be consulted in the future, nearly two-thirds (63%) thought that they would be able to influence decisions. Organised Learning Activities

Respondents were asked whether they or any member of their family had attended any organised learning activities or events associated with woodlands in the last 12 months (Figure 7).

In 2013, 18% of respondents said that they or a member of their family had attended at least one such event or activity. These break down as follows:

- 11% had been on a school trip;
- 5% had attended a guided walk or talk;
- 4% had attended an organised tree planting event;
- 3% had attended an organised course or training event; and
- 1% had attended some other type of organised learning activity.

Figure 7: Woodland learning activities attended

Source: Wales Public Opinion of Forestry Surveys.

Note:

1. Figures are based on all respondents: 2009 (1,002), 2011 (1,002), 2013 (1,012).
2. Respondents could select more than one option. Conservation and Volunteering

Respondents were asked if they had been involved in voluntary work in connection with woodlands in the last 12 months or if they were a member of a community group involved in conservation and/or management of local woodlands.

Overall, 4% of respondents to the 2013 survey said yes to one (or both) of these areas of involvement (Table 9). Individually, 3% said they had been involved in voluntary work in connection with woodland in the last 12 months and 2% said they were involved with a community group that is involved in the conservation and/or management of local woodlands.

Table 9: Involvement in voluntary work or community group

| Percent of respondents | 2009 | 2011 | 2013 | |------------------------|------|------|------| | Involved in voluntary work | 3 | 2 | 3 | | Member of a community based woodland group | 3 | 2 | 2 | | Either (or both) of the above | 5 | 4 | 4 |

Source: Wales Public Opinion of Forestry Surveys.

Note:

1. Figures are based on all respondents: 2009 (1,002), 2011 (1,002), 2013 (1,012). Wood products

Purchase of wood products

Respondents were asked whether they had purchased any wood products in the last 12 months.

Around one half of respondents to the 2013 survey (51%) had purchased wood products, with ‘furniture’ (23%) being the most commonly purchased (Figure 8).

Figure 8: Wood products purchased in the last 12 months

Source: Wales Public Opinion of Forestry Surveys.

Note:

1. Figures are based on all respondents: 2009 (1,002), 2011 (1,002), 2013 (1,012).
2. Respondents could select more than one option. Awareness of Certification Bodies

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) are schemes that certify woodlands as well as wood and wood products originating from sustainably managed woodland. Each scheme has a logo, which is displayed on certified products.

Respondents were asked if they had seen the FSC and the PEFC logos on wood products. Around one half (49%) of respondents to the 2013 survey recognised the FSC logo and 11% had seen the PEFC logo (Table 10).

The level of recognition for the FSC logo increased between 2005 and 2011 and is now almost twice the level reported in 2005 (25%).

Table 10: Awareness of ‘certified symbols’ on wood products

| | FSC | PEFC | |-------|-----|------| | 2005 | 25 | 12 | | 2009 | 36 | 12 | | 2011 | 47 | 15 | | 2013 | 49 | 11 |

Source: Wales Public Opinion of Forestry Surveys.

Note:

1. Figures are based on all respondents: 2005 (1,001), 2009 (1,002), 2011 (1,002), 2013 (1,012). Tree health

A new question relating to tree health was introduced for the 2013 survey. Respondents were presented with a series of statements and asked to indicate their level of agreement (Table 11, Figure 9).

Table 11 shows that the majority of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that:

- ‘Action should be taken by authorities and woodland managers to protect trees from damaging pests and diseases’ (81%);
- ‘Everyone should take action when visiting woodlands to help prevent the spread of damaging tree pests and diseases’ (66%); and
- ‘I would be willing to look out for and report sightings of pests and diseases on trees, if appropriate information and advice was available to me’ (63%).

Conversely, few respondents agreed or strongly agreed that:

- ‘There is very little that anyone can do to prevent the spread of damaging pests and diseases’ (21%);
- ‘I understand what is meant by biosecurity’ (26%).

Table 11: Tree health

| Percent of respondents who agree or strongly agree | % | |---------------------------------------------------|---| | Action should be taken by authorities and woodland managers to protect trees from damaging pests and diseases | 81 | | Everyone should take action when visiting woodlands to help prevent the spread of damaging tree pests and diseases | 66 | | I would be willing to look out for and report sightings of pests and diseases on trees, if appropriate information and advice was available to me | 63 | | I understand what is meant by biosecurity | 26 | | There is very little that anyone can do to prevent the spread of damaging tree pests and diseases | 21 |

Source: Wales Public Opinion of Forestry Survey 2013.

Note:

1. Figures are based on all respondents: 2013 (1,012). Figure 9: Tree health

- **Action should be taken by authorities and woodland managers to protect trees from damaging pests and diseases**

  - Strongly Agree: 45%
  - Agree: 35%
  - Neither agree nor disagree: 7%
  - Disagree: 5%
  - Strongly Disagree: 6%

- **Everyone should take action when visiting woodlands to help prevent the spread of damaging tree pests and diseases**

  - Strongly Agree: 27%
  - Agree: 39%
  - Neither agree nor disagree: 16%
  - Disagree: 5%
  - Strongly Disagree: 4%

- **I would be willing to look out for and report sightings of pests and diseases on trees, if appropriate information and advice was available to me**

  - Strongly Agree: 27%
  - Agree: 35%
  - Neither agree nor disagree: 15%
  - Disagree: 6%
  - Strongly Disagree: 6%

- **I understand what is meant by biosecurity**

  - Strongly Agree: 11%
  - Agree: 15%
  - Neither agree nor disagree: 11%
  - Disagree: 20%
  - Strongly Disagree: 36%

- **There is very little that anyone can do to prevent the spread of damaging tree pests and diseases**

  - Strongly Agree: 4%
  - Agree: 17%
  - Neither agree nor disagree: 20%
  - Disagree: 31%
  - Strongly Disagree: 11%

Source: Wales Public Opinion of Forestry Survey 2013.

Note:

1. Figures are based on all respondents (1,012). Annex

Introduction

This annex provides background information on the statistics presented in this release. It covers the data sources and methodology used to produce the statistics, information on quality measures and on any revisions to historic data and links to further information.

Glossary

Biosecurity A set of precautions that aim to prevent the introduction and spread of harmful organisms. These may be pests, pathogens or invasive species.

Confidence interval An estimated range of values that is likely to include an unknown population parameter. The confidence interval around an estimate is derived from the sample data, and is used to indicate the reliability of the estimate.

Clustering A sampling technique where the entire population is divided into groups, or clusters, and a random sample of these clusters are selected. All (or a selection of) observations in the selected clusters are included in the sample. Cluster sampling is often used when a random sample would produce a list of subjects so widely scattered that surveying them would prove to be far too expensive.

Forestry Commission (FC) The government department responsible for forestry matters in England, Scotland and (until March 2013) Wales. The Forestry Commission’s functions in Wales transferred to a new organisation, Natural Resources Wales, on 1 April 2013. The responsibility for forestry is devolved.

Forest In the United Kingdom, there is no formal definition of “forest”; the term is often used for large woodland areas (especially conifers) or for old Royal hunting preserves such as the New Forest or the Forest of Dean.

Forest Service (FS) An agency of the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Great Britain (GB) England, Wales and Scotland. Quota sampling A method of sampling where interviewers are each given a fixed number of subjects of specified type to interview.

Statistical significance A statistical assessment of whether observations reflect an actual pattern rather than just chance.

Stratification A sampling technique where the entire population is divided into groups, or strata, and a random sample is selected within each group. Stratified sampling is often used to ensure that sufficient numbers from each group are included in the overall sample, particularly where results are required for each group.

United Kingdom (UK) Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Weighting A set of factors assigned to survey responses to ensure that the resulting weighted results are representative of the population as a whole.

Woodland Land under stands of trees with a canopy cover of at least 20% (25% in Northern Ireland), or having the potential to achieve this, including integral open space, and including felled areas that are awaiting restocking.

Data Sources and Methodology

Background The Forestry Commission has conducted biennial surveys of public attitudes to forestry and forestry-related issues since 1995. The surveys have evolved since then as follows:

- In the initial surveys, a representative sample of 2,000 adults across Great Britain (GB) was surveyed;
- In 2001, with more interest in country-level results within GB, additional questions were asked of representative samples of 1,000 adults in each of Scotland and Wales;
- Information has also been collected for Northern Ireland in the past through UK wide surveys in 2003 and the separate Northern Ireland surveys (1,000 adults) carried out in 2005, 2007 and 2010;
- In 2013 three separate surveys were carried out for the UK, for Scotland and for Wales. Some questions were asked in all three of the surveys conducted in 2013, but a number of questions have become survey-specific.

The table below is a summary of the previous surveys and presents the approximate number of adults interviewed for each country. England results are a subset of the UK survey. Table A1: Sample Sizes for Public Opinion of Forestry Surveys since 2001

| Year | UK¹ | England² | Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland | |------|-----|----------|-------|----------|------------------| | 2001 | 2,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | | | 2003 | 4,000 | 3,400 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | | 2005 | 4,000 | 3,400 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | | 2007 | 4,000 | 3,300 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | | 2009 | 2,000 | 1,700 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | | 2010 | | | | | 1,000 | | 2011 | 2,000 | 1,700 | 1,000 | 1,000 | | | 2013 | 2,000 | 1,700 | 1,000 | 1,000 | |

Note:

1. 2001 and 2005 surveys covered Great Britain only (i.e. excluding Northern Ireland).
2. Results for England are derived from UK surveys.

Survey design

The 2013 survey results presented in this report are taken from the Beaufort Research Wales Omnibus Survey March 2013. The majority of the fieldwork for the March 2013 survey took place between 1st and 12th March 2013, with a small number of interviews conducted after this. A total of 1,012 interviews were completed and analysed.

Previous surveys were also obtained from the Beaufort Research Wales Omnibus Survey.

Methodology

The Omnibus sample is designed to be representative of the adult population resident in Wales aged 16 and over. The unit of sampling is Lower Layer Super Output Area (LSOA) and 69 interviewing points throughout the Wales are selected with probability proportional to resident population, after stratification by Local Authority and Social Grade. A fresh sample of interviewing locations is selected each wave (i.e. each time the survey is run).

Within each sampling point, interlocking demographic quota controls of age and social class within sex are employed for the selection of respondents. Quotas are set to reflect the individual demographic profile of each selected point.

A fresh sample of interviewing locations and individuals are selected for each survey and no more than one person per household is interviewed.

Interviews are conducted face to face in the homes of respondents utilising CAPI (Computer Aided Personal Interviewing) technology. Beaufort’s fieldworkers are used with postal and telephone back-checking in accordance with ISO 20252. Questionnaire A copy of the 2013 questionnaire is provided at the end of this release. This covers the questions requested by the Forestry Commission. In addition, a small number of additional questions are included as standard in the omnibus surveys run by Market Research companies (e.g. gender, age, country/region) and some of these are also used in analysing the results from the survey.

Most questions are retained from one survey to the next, to enable comparisons over time. However, changes are sometimes made to reflect changing circumstances or priorities, or to improve the wording of questions. The following changes were made for the 2013 questionnaire:

- A question about favourable characteristics of the local landscape, and questions about wood fuel have been dropped;
- New questions has been added on street trees (Q2a and Q2b) and tree health (Q9).

Quality The data collected in the survey are weighted, to correct for imbalances between the profiles of the sample and the population and therefore ensure that the weighted results are representative of the Welsh adult population. For the 2013 survey, this weighting did not affect the total apparent number of respondents (1,012). However it has resulted in an increase in the apparent number of respondents who visited woodlands, from a total of 648 adults who were interviewed to a weighted total of 651. The results quoted in this report are based on weighted data.

All results are subject to the effects of chance in sampling, so a range of uncertainty (confidence interval) should be associated with any result from the survey. The confidence intervals take into account the effect of clustering, weighting and stratification in the survey design (see methodology, above, for more details).

Confidence intervals are most commonly reported at the 95% level. This means that there is a 95% chance that the true population value lies within the confidence interval. The following provides a guide to interpreting the results in this report on the basis of a 95% confidence interval:

- For questions asked in 2013 to the whole Welsh sample of 1,012, the range of uncertainty around any figure should be no more than ±4.6%.
- For responses of subgroups, i.e. questions not posed to the whole sample of respondents, the range of uncertainty is correspondingly higher. For example the uncertainty for statistics asked only to those who visited woodland (651 respondents) should be no more than ±5.8%.
- For questions asked to whole samples, differences of more than ±6.6% between the 2013 results and 2011 results are statistically significant. For questions asked only to those who had visited woodland, differences of more than ±8.1% between the 2013 results and 2011 results are statistically significant.

Further quality information on FC Official Statistics is available at: www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-7zhk85

Revisions Figures for 2013 are published for the first time in this release.

All figures are final. Figures for earlier years have not been revised.

The Forestry Commission’s revisions policy sets out how revisions and errors to these statistics are dealt with, and can be found at: www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/FCrevisions.pdf.

Further information Accompanying tables to this release, available at www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-5zyl9w, provide more detailed figures, showing standard breakdowns.

Figures in tables have been independently rounded, so may not add to the totals shown.

Release schedule The Wales Public Opinion of Forestry is a biennial survey, next due to run in early 2015 with results likely to be available in summer 2015.

Official Statistics This is an Official Statistics publication. For more information about Official Statistics and the UK Statistics Authority visit www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk. Wales Public Opinion of Forestry Survey 2013: Questionnaire

Q1a [All] From this list, please tell me which of the following benefits you think that woodlands near you provide for the local community?

- They support the local economy
- They help attract visitors to the area
- They provide wood as a renewable fuel
- They are accessible to all in the community
- They provide places for wildlife to live
- They provide places for recreation (such as walking, cycling, horse-riding)
- They provide places for relaxation and stress relief
- They improve the landscape
- They create pleasant settings for developments around the community
- They give people in the community the opportunity to work together
- They help reduce air and noise pollution
- They remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, slowing climate change
- They can be used by local schools and other educational groups
- They are just a benefit knowing they are there
- Other (please specify)
- None of the above

Q1b [All] From this list, please tell me which of the following woodland-related issues disadvantages your local community?

- Woodlands don’t provide local jobs – contractors from elsewhere are used

- It’s really difficult to get firewood from our local woodlands

- The woodlands near us can’t be accessed

- The woodlands near us aren’t good for wildlife

- The woodlands near us aren’t nice places to visit

- The woodlands make our landscape worse

- The woodlands get in the way of developments around the community

- We can’t control what happens in our local woodlands

- Managing woodlands pollutes the air/water/soil

- Woodland operations and visitors create noise pollution

- Woodland operations create carbon dioxide making climate change worse

- Woodlands near us provide a place for criminal activity

- Timber lorries / visitors to woodlands make the roads busy

- Timber lorries make me feel unsafe walking/driving on the roads

- Other (please specify)

- None of the above Q2a [All] Thinking about the nearest urban area (town or city), what benefits do you think street trees in this urban area provide for the area?

- They make the area look more attractive

- They help people to feel more relaxed and calm

- They provide health benefits

- They provide places for birds and wildlife to live

- They help reduce air and noise pollution

- They remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, slowing climate change

- They are just a benefit knowing they are there

- They help to improve road safety

- Their shade helps to cool the area during summer

- They increase property values and inward investment into the community

- They help to soak up water in rainy weather

- They offer a connection with the seasons and nature (and act as natural classrooms)

- They create pleasant places to meet and mix with people

- They produce useful by-products

- They enhance the appeal and performance of shopping areas

- Other (please specify)

- None of the above

Q2b [All] Thinking about the nearest urban area (town or city), what disadvantages do you think street trees in this urban area cause to the area?

- The trees in the urban areas near us aren’t good for wildlife
- The trees make the urban landscape worse
- The trees get in the way of developments in or around the urban area
- We can’t control what happens to the street trees
- Carrying out work to the trees causes disruption and mess
- Street trees in urban areas near us provide opportunities for criminal activity and vandalism
- Street trees reduce light to nearby houses and buildings
- Falling leaves and branches make a mess and are a health and safety hazard
- Street trees damage buildings and cause subsidence
- Trees cause interference to TV reception and effectiveness of solar panels
- Trees hide views
- Trees harbour pests
- Other (please specify)
- None of the above Q3a [All] In the last few years, have you visited forests or woodlands for walks, picnics or other recreation?

(Single answer)

- Yes (Go to Q3c)
- No (Go to Q3b)

Q3b [Ask if answered no to Q3a] Which of the following, if any, are the main reasons for you not visiting woodland / forests more often or at all?

(Multi answer)

- Not interested in visiting more often
- Don’t have a car
- Lack of suitable public transport
- Other personal mobility reasons (difficulty in walking, unwell, etc.)
- Woods are too far away
- Lack of facilities (play areas, picnic areas, etc.)
- Lack of information about woods to visit
- Prefer other areas of countryside
- Concerns that woods are not safe
- Woodlands are badly maintained
- Cost of visiting
- Lack of confidence
- I’m too busy/ not enough time
- Other (please specify)
- None of the above

Q3c [Ask if answered yes to Q3a] Did you visit woodlands in the countryside or woodlands in and around towns?

(Single answer)

- Woodlands in the countryside
- Woodlands in and around towns
- Both

Q3d [Ask if answered yes to Q3a] Thinking of the woodland/ forest you have visited most often, please use the card to tell me to what extent you agree with the following two statements. (1 strongly agree, 2 agree, 3 neither agree or disagree, 4 disagree, 5 strongly disagree)

- I would visit again.
- I would recommend it as a place to visit to a friend or a relative Q3e [Ask if answered yes to Q3a] Do you know who managed the woodland you visited most often?\
  (Single answer)
- Forestry Commission
- Woodland Trust
- National Trust
- Other (please specify)
- None of the above

Q3f [Ask if answered yes to Q3a] How frequently did you visit forests and woodlands last summer, i.e. between April and September 2012?\
(Single answer)

- Several times per week
- Several times per month
- About once a month
- Less often
- Never

Q3g [Ask if answered yes to Q3a] And how frequently did you visit forests and woodlands this winter i.e. since October 2012?\
(Single answer)

- Several times per week
- Several times per month
- About once a month
- Less often
- Never Q4a [All] Which of the following are important to you when choosing to visit a woodland? (Multi answer)
- It is in close/easy reach
- Knowing that visitors are welcome there
- Attractive scenery
- Wildlife
- Peace and quiet
- A good place to unwind/ de-stress
- Good for exercise
- Safe environment
- No entrance charge
- Clear signage - both welcoming & directional
- Clear and accessible tracks and paths
- A variety of activities
- Dogs are welcome
- Knowing you can access gates and stiles with your group (including pushchairs, dogs, wheelchairs or if you have a disability)
- None of the above

Q4b [All] Is there a forest or woodland that you can get to easily without using a car or other transport? (Single answer)

- Yes
- No

Q4c [Ask if answered yes to Q4b] How would you rate that forest or woodland in terms of how safe and welcoming it feels? (Single answer)

- Excellent
- Very good
- Good
- Fair
- Poor
- Very poor

Q5a [All] Have you ever been consulted about plans for creating, managing or using woodlands in your area? (Single answer)

- Yes

- No Q5b [All] Would you like to be consulted in future about plans for creating, managing or using woodlands in your area?

- Yes

- No

Q5c [Ask if answered yes to Q5a] Do you feel that you have influenced decisions about creating, managing or using woodlands in your area?

- Yes
- No

Q5d [Ask if answered yes to Q5b] Do you feel that you would be able to influence decisions about creating, managing or using woodlands in your area?

- Yes
- No

Q6 [All] Have you and/or anyone in your family attended any of the following organised learning activities or events to do with woodlands in the last 12 months?

- School trip
- Guided walk or talk
- Organised course or training event (such as dry stone walling, fencing, making bird boxes, woodland management)
- An organised tree planting event
- Other organised event (please specify)
- None of the above

Q7a [All] Have you been involved in voluntary work in connection with woodlands in the last 12 months (e.g. physical work in a wood, administration, fund raising, running a group)?

- Yes

- No Q7b [All] Are you a member of any community groups that are involved in the conservation and/or management of local woodlands?

- Yes

- No

Q7c [Ask if answered yes to Q7b] What is the name of your group?

- (Record answer verbatim)

Q8a [All] Have you purchased any of the following products made of wood in the last 12 months?

- Furniture
- Flooring
- Kitchen and bathroom cabinets/worktops
- Doors
- Decking/ Fencing
- Garden furniture / tools
- Other timber for DIY projects
- Toys
- Crafts (bowls, spoons etc)
- Other (please specify)
- None of the above

Q8b [All] Have you ever seen either of these logos on wood products?

FSC :

- Yes
- No

PEFC :

- Yes

- No Q9 [All] I’m now going to read out a list of statements that other people have said about tree pests and diseases (e.g. insects, fungi and plants), and I would like you to tell me to what extent you agree with each one. (1 strongly agree, 2 agree, 3 neither agree or disagree, 4 disagree, 5 strongly disagree)

- Everyone should take action when visiting woodlands to help prevent the spread of damaging tree pests and diseases (e.g. by washing shoes/boots, bikes etc before and after their visit and by brushing soil & plant material from clothes)

- I would be willing to look out for and report sightings of pests and diseases on trees, if appropriate information and advice was available to me

- There is very little that anyone can do to prevent the spread of damaging tree pests and diseases

- Action should be taken by authorities and woodland managers to protect trees from damaging pests and diseases

- I understand what is meant by biosecurity

Q10 [All] What is your religion? (Single answer)

- None
- Christian (including Church in Wales, Catholic, Protestant and all other Christian denominations)
- Buddhist
- Hindu
- Muslim
- Jewish
- Sikh
- Other (please specify)